Finishing Schedule Question?

[knighty76]

Hi everyone! Topic title and description probably doesn't explain too well... what I'm wondering is whether there is a downside to taking breaks between applying finish coats.

For example, I might want to apply my lacquer coats 3 a day for 5-7 days, depending on how thick I can get it on. if I don't have available to me 7 straight days where I can apply the finish, or the weather breaks up the schedule, is there any problem if I have to leave a few days between applying the next set of coats? Does it cause problems if the intermediate lacquer coats are allowed to cure excessively before you get the next ones on?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,

Rich (Knighty76).

[Mattia]

Really shouldn't be an issue. It's a bit more problematic with some of the waterbased stuff, apparently (KTM, at least. Mike Doolin reccomends shooting a coat of denatured alcohol on the next day to 'soften' the finish slightly and make sure the new coats burn in), but nitro's pretty damn forgiving.

[knighty76]

Cracking! I'm using Nitro so hopefully it shouldn't be too much of an issue like you say. And the schedule shouldn't be too fragmented.. possibly only a day or so if it rains, which is fairly likely here in the UK!

Cheers for the reply mattia.. much appreciated.

Thanks,

Rich.

[AlGeeEater]

If you're doing nitro over a week's period it really isnt worth it. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it but I never spray for more than 3 days max. That's doing about 5 coats a day and I only usually do around 10-12 coats of nitro.

Nitro is pretty nice to spray, and if the weather breaks, good! It will allow the coats you sprayed to gas off a little bit more.

[Sethmetal]

If you're doing nitro over a week's period it really isnt worth it. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it but I never spray for more than 3 days max. That's doing about 5 coats a day and I only usually do around 10-12 coats of nitro.

Nitro is pretty nice to spray, and if the weather breaks, good! It will allow the coats you sprayed to gas off a little bit more.

←

How do you guys spray multiple coats in a day and still get proper curing? If I try to do more than one coat a day, my finished product will be a really soft finish. I'm in california, the weather doesn't get much drier.

I spray rattle can poly's from the hardware store mostly. Any suggestions on a nice fast hard clear poly?

[Mattia]

Works fine, although I've never done more than 4 a day, usually I stop at 5. Nice, thin, just barely wet coats, let 'em dry for an hour or two, coat over the top. Takes a month++ to cure (for lacquer; minimum 2 weeks for waterbase) anyway.

[TeiscosRock]

Unfortunately I'm in the southeast U.S., so humidity's a big thing here... I may spray when it gets farther into fall... might take the edge off the humidity and still be a good temp for nitro. Whats the minimum temp for nitro spraying?

[AlGeeEater]

If you're doing nitro over a week's period it really isnt worth it. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it but I never spray for more than 3 days max. That's doing about 5 coats a day and I only usually do around 10-12 coats of nitro.

Nitro is pretty nice to spray, and if the weather breaks, good! It will allow the coats you sprayed to gas off a little bit more.

←

How do you guys spray multiple coats in a day and still get proper curing? If I try to do more than one coat a day, my finished product will be a really soft finish. I'm in california, the weather doesn't get much drier.

I spray rattle can poly's from the hardware store mostly. Any suggestions on a nice fast hard clear poly?

←

I use heatlamps to cure my finishes now...before I would have to wait a few weeks with nitro though...